"We are in the phase of operational readiness assessment, but the entry into service of our program will represent a milestone in the history of the Pentagon." The Marines are on track to announce the Initial Operating Capacity within ten days ".
Last Friday, the Pentagon confirmed that the F-35 is ready for combat, even if some precautions will be needed that will be solved later.
Only eight of the 243 software functionalities planned to declare the Initial Operational Capacity, need further verification - the undersecretary for the acquisition Frank Kendall wrote in a report given to the Congress - but the Pentagon plans to solve these problems in the next software and in any case within the 2017. These deficiencies will not interfere with the missions of the Marines, the fighter is already able to satisfy, with the weapons provided in the Initial Operative Capacity, all the needs of the Corps.
Kendall's report was also taken up by the Marines. We know the problems - added Marine Corps spokesman Paul Greenberg - we are monitoring them, but they will not affect our missions also because they will all be resolved by the 2017.
With current features, the F-35B will allow Marine to perform Close Air Support missions as well. The marine wants to buy 353 F-35B, the most complex of the three variants that Lockheed Martin is making. 37 F-35B have been delivered to the Marine.
The United Kingdom and Italy have decided to invest in the B version, but are waiting for entry into service with the Marine Corps. The final operational readiness inspection (Operational Readiness Inspection) began last week at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona, and will enforce the F-35B's entry into Operation Capacity. The 'ORI' has now been completed and the results of the tests carried out on 134 specific factors of the hunting are being analyzed.
Although it is not for a single body to certify the Initial Operational Capacity of a weapon system, the Marine have no intention of adopting a machine that can not meet their requirements. In fact, for the Pentagon, the JSF could already enter service. If the outcome of the inspection matches the needs of the Marine, the F-35B will enter service (and in the history of aviation) with an Initial Operating Capacity.
The "Marine Knights" of the Marine Fighter Squadron 121 have also performed three written tests: one of immediate action, a knowledge test for the multiplayer and tactical plane. The pilots also completed four real flights and three on the simulator. They will also be evaluated by the Marine Committee. At the same time, another team of experts has inspected both maintenance programs and departmental supplies to ensure that they can meet the needs of an operating squadron formed by ten F-35Bs. If the final report is to be completed within the next few hours, it is conceivable that the Marine Corps could declare the Initial Operational Capability for the same month.
The F-35B tested by the Marine is equipped with the Block 2B software, but it is a 'special' version of the fighter. In fact, the Marine squadron, called the '1 Group', presents most of the hardware modifications already implemented (and which will be integrated into mass production tomorrow) like the reinforced bulkheads. The aircraft could go into battle with a 'reduced' equipment: AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, GBU-12 and GBU-39 bombs.
Unlike the V-22 Osprey that the Marine deployed in Iraq shortly after the 'IOC', the F-35 will not enter into war with the Islamic State. The first VMFA-121 squadron will be transferred to the Iwakuni base in Japan in January of 2017 to respond to possible crisis in the region.
Franco Iacch
(photo: Lockheed Martin)
